Packers receiver Jones shares his life story with students, staff at St. John the Baptist in Plymouth

PLYMOUTH — The mothers in the crowd blushed, and perhaps even a few tears were shed, when Green Bay Packers receiver James Jones talked about his dreams growing up.

“One I had was I wanted to take care of my mom,” Jones said to a group of students and teachers at St. John the Baptist Catholic School on Tuesday. “Whether I had to work seven or eight jobs, or play in the NFL, I wanted to put a smile on her face.”

Years later, Jones has his mother and grandmother smiling, as well as Packers fans all across the state and nation.

Jones brought his life story to the 300 students and teachers at St. John. He told them how he grew up homeless and how he and his mother jumped from shelter to shelter from ages 2 to 15. And he also talked about how his grandmother took him in and forced him to take special education classes so he would keep up.

Jones didn’t lie to the assembly. He didn’t consider going to school his favorite thing to do, and he didn’t sugarcoat his feelings.

“I’m not going sit here and say I loved it,” he said.

But Jones knew attending class, working hard and getting good grades was the only way to achieve his goal of becoming an NFL player.

“Staying in school was the most important thing to happen in my life,” Jones said. “You can’t be president, an NFL player, an NBA player, or anything, without school.”

There were plenty of opportunities for Jones to stray. Growing up homeless in San Jose, Calif., where he later starred in college before the Packers drafted him in the third round, Jones knew plenty of kids who could have led him down the wrong path.

Instead, he turned his back on them.

“I had friends who cut class, and drank, but I had a dream to make it to the National Football League,” Jones said. “What kept me away from drugs and alcohol was my mother. Every time I thought about going down the wrong path, I thought about my mother. I didn’t want to bring any more stress to her.”

Jones made his mother proud, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college, with a sociology degree.

Life’s experiences impact him to this day. He’s one of the Packers’ most active players in community events. When his playing days are done, Jones wants to become a probation officer to work with troubled kids or become a football coach.

Until then, he’ll spend more than his share of off days during the season talking to groups like he did at St. John, hoping his words have an impact.

“If just two or three kids hear me and listen, I’ve done my job,” Jones said.

As the students gathered for pictures and high-fives with Jones, some of the students in Mrs. Renzelmann’s second grade class were asked what they learned from their guest speaker.

“Always listen to your mom and dad,” said Hana Goeser, 7.

“He inspired me about how important it is to go to college and graduate,” said Nick Falls, 8.

“You should always try to do the right thing,” said Gregory Werner, 7.